A group of chemists reported that flower-shaped nanoparticles could lead to better battery life for electronics in the future. Called "nanoflowers," these particles which have superior electronic performance compared to current batteries aren't exactly new. There have been many flower-shaped nanoparticles in the past, although none of them were suitable to be used for electronic devices.

To create these particular nanoflowers, the scientists first had to grow carbon nanotubes which are carbon strands 50,000 times thinner than your hair. Manganese oxide, a metallic component used to power batteries, is coated onto the nanotubes using a low-cost process called "electrodeposition." Subsequently, the nanoparticles react by forming clusters resembling flowers. The resultant nanoflowers could lead to batteries with greater efficiency, longer lifespan, and larger energy storage capacity.